Ashes Test Match Day 5 - Prospects of Play
Welcome to Emirates Old Trafford for Day Five of the Fourth Men's Ashes Test Match between England and Australia.
Given the forecast and weather conditions in Manchester today, this page will keep you up to date with the latest conditions at the ground and information we receive from the umpires.
5.25pm - Finally, confirmation arrives from the umpires that Day Five has been abandoned. Australia retain the Ashes as the Fourth Test ends drawn.
3.00pm - The rain hasn't relented whatsoever and there's lots of standing water around the outfield now.
2.10pm - It's even heavier now. With no signs of any breaks in the clouds and the predicted weather for the next few hours, this isn't looking good..
1.40pm - The rain's coming down heavier now and has even brought an end to England's game on the outfield.
1.15pm - There's been no improvement in conditions during the last hour. The covers remain on whilst the England squad play football on the outfield here at Emirates Old Trafford.
12.25pm - Unfortunately, no sooner than the 1pm start time had been announced, the rain has once again returned. The covers are being put back on and the England warm-up has stopped.
12.20pm - News from the middle, we have a 1pm start time at Emirates Old Trafford!
11.55am - We have a 12.15pm inspection planned. Let's hope for some positive news to bring you after that has taken place!
11.45am - The rain has stopped! Cheers ring out from those inside Emirates Old Trafford as the ground staff emerge to once again start the process of clearing the outfield.
11.10am - The planned inspection time has passed and, with the rain still falling, the umpires have been unable to get out there and take a look with the covers firmly in place at Emirates Old Trafford.
The weather forecasts for the rest of the day are conflicting, depending on where you look, but we remain hopeful that we can bring you some more positive news this afternoon.
10.40am - Unfortunately, it's raining again. The covers are back on and the mopping up process has been stopped again, for now. It looks unlikely that the pitch inspection planned for 11am will take place on time.
10am - The rain has stopped and we have some news. There will be an 11am inspection made by the umpires, due to a wet outfield. We are going to have a delayed start to Day Five.
9.50am - There's some rain around in the air once again which has halted the clean-up operation for now and the covers are back on.
9.20am - The ground staff are out there in force, as they begin the clean-up operation at a currently dry Emirates Old Trafford. Lots of standing water but the mopping up process is underway.
8.30am - Good morning from Emirates Old Trafford ahead of the final day of the Fourth Ashes Test. It isn't raining at the moment but there has been a lot of heavy rainfall overnight and this morning.
The pitch is covered and there's a lot of standing water out there. We'll keep you updated with any news as soon as we hear it. Gates will still open at 9am.
